Canton waiting on appeal

Thursday

Jun 21, 2007 at 12:01 AMJun 21, 2007 at 9:15 PM

While reports have circulated in recent weeks of a new proposal by Westwood that would not close off Canton Street entirely, but would turn the road into a one-way street, Canton officials aren’t ready to stop fighting Westwood’s initial cul-de-sac proposal.

Canton Town Administrator Bill Friel said Canton officials have not “officially” seen the new proposal, which has been “floated as an alternative.” He said officials are still focusing their efforts on the cul-de-sac proposal, which Canton, along with Dedham and Norwood, has appealed.

Jeff Mucciarone and Greg Duggan

While reports have circulated in recent weeks of a new proposal by Westwood that would not close off Canton Street entirely, but would turn the road into a one-way street, Canton officials aren’t ready to stop fighting Westwood’s initial cul-de-sac proposal.

Canton Town Administrator Bill Friel said Canton officials have not “officially” seen the new proposal, which has been “floated as an alternative.” He said officials are still focusing their efforts on the cul-de-sac proposal, which Canton, along with Dedham and Norwood, has appealed.

For three months Westwood officials pushed for a cul-de-sac to stop through traffic on Canton Street, but nearly two weeks ago, officials presented a new possibility where northbound traffic would be barred on a portion of Canton Street just before Norwood’s Oceana Way. As part of the new plan, southbound vehicles would still be able to travel the entire roadway. The proposal was made to about 20 Westwood residents living in the neighborhood of the potential Canton Street changes.

“It does not substantially change the initial impact of the cul-de-sac proposal,” Friel said.

The changes to Canton Street would be part of the 4.5-million-square-foot, mixed-use Westwood Station development, which would span nearly 145 acres—one of which is located in Canton.

Westwood has sought to create a cul-de-sac just north of Norwood's Oceana Way to prevent through traffic, but has been unsuccessful in convincing Norwood, Dedham and Canton to buy into the plan. Norwood supports a trial closing, though Canton and Dedham have both opposed it.

Westwood officials still believe they have the authority to cut Canton Street in half with a cul-de-sac, but they face continued opposition from nearby towns and have decided to take a new approach.

“(Selectmen’s) policy still remains, any change to Canton Street would adversely impact our residents ability to move efficiently to the East Street rotary…” said Canton Selectmen Chairman Robert Burr. “We’re not in favor of any changes, one-way or another.”

Canton’s hearing with the County Commission remains focused on the initial cul-de-sac proposal, Friel said.

The road is a county way, and the Norfolk County Commission also rescinded its support for a cul-de-sac after briefly backing a trial closure.

Westwood hopes the latest plan will be more palatable for surrounding communities.